Immigrant caregivers: characteristics of the care provided to dependent elders

Tradicionalmente, el cuidado de personas dependientes ha correspondido a la familia, pero esta situación está cambiando en España. La existencia de un modelo de cuidados basado en la aportación de la familia hacía posible que las personas mayores pudieran estar en casa con ciertos niveles de discapacidad, pero los cambios sociales acaecidos, como la crisis del sistema informal de cuidados ampliamente tratada en la bibliografía, han hecho que esa situación se esté desmoronando en España. La sociedad busca respuestas y las encuentra en el mercado de trabajo, recurriendo a la contratación de mujeres inmigrantes para que asuman los cuidados familiares. A estas nuevas cuidadoras transfieren y pagan la responsabilidad y realización de los cuidados. Así, el cuidado de los ancianos por inmigrantes se presenta como un importante recurso de cuidado. De hecho, el cuidado de los ancianos dependientes se convierte, en numerosas ocasiones, en la única oportunidad de inserción laboral de las mujeres inmigrantes que vienen a este país en busca de mejores condiciones. La dispersión de estudios acerca del cuidado realizado por cuidadoras inmigrantes resalta la invisibilidad de éste. El presente artículo pretende poner de manifiesto, basándose en la revisión de la bibliografía, la situación de un cuidado familiar prestado por mujeres inmigrantes y reflejar las características de este cuidado. Se describe la relación en el cuidado y las condiciones en las que éste tiene lugar. Las cuidadoras inmigrantes, por su situación particular presentan una gran carga de cuidado y disponen de un respiro de las actividades de cuidado limitado.In Spain, care in dependency has traditionally fallen to family members but this situation is changing. The existence of a model based on the family’s contribution used to enable dependent elders to remain at home; however, social changes —such as the crisis of the informal caregiving system, which has been extensively discussed in the literature— is leading to the collapse of this situation. In an attempt to respond to this crisis, society has resorted to contracting immigrant women to carry out family care. Responsibility and caregiving is thus transferred to these women and is financially remunerated. Thus, family caregiving of the elderly provided by immigrants is presented as an important resource for care. The care of dependent elderly individuals is often the only opportunity for immigrant women —who arrive in Spain in search of better conditions— to become incorporated into the labor market. The dispersion of studies on immigrant care highlights the invisibility of this phenomenon. Based on a literature review, the present study highlights the situation of the family care provided by immigrant women and outlines the characteristics of this type of care. The relationship between caregiving and the conditions in which this care takes place is described. Given their situation, immigrant caregivers have a heavy burden of care and limited respite from caregiving responsibilities.Esta revisión forma parte de un Estudio financiado por el Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo: “Cuidado familiar-Alivio de la carga en situaciones de vulnerabilidad: Mujeres cuidadoras de pacientes con demencia avanzada y mujeres inmigrantes que proporcionan cuidados familiares”. 2006

“Turning to one’s own world": escape mechanisms employed by immigrant caregivers in Spain for relieving the burden of care

Purpose: Although past research has focused on the coping strategies of family caregivers, how immigrant caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving remains unknown. This study examines the strategies immigrant caregivers use to relieve the burden of care. Method: A qualitative study based on 17 immigrant women caregivers using purposive and snowball sampling was done. Semistructured interviews and testimonies were obtained and analyzed using grounded theory procedures. Findings: Turning to one’s world describes how caregivers seek relief from the burden of care. They escape virtually, go to a private place, make those they care for their own, and decide to go home. These mechanisms enable them to escape from the world of caregiving in which they find themselves. Discussion and Conclusions: Findings reveal the significance of family connections and networks for immigrants to achieve burden relief. Implications for Practice: The importance of promoting positive working environments and raising awareness about immigrant caregivers’ need for rest.The study was funded by the Health Research Found, Programme of Biomedical and Health Sciences Research Promotion, Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (PI 060005)